Do I need a web developer?
With the advent of visual site builders like Wix, Squarespace, and many more, you may be asking yourself... Do I even need a web developer, or is a website builder like Wix or Squarespace enough? Can't I just do it myself? The short answer is, it depends.
It depends on your needs.
It depends on your budget.
It depends on your time.
It depends on your skills.
You get the point, it depends.
When working with potential clients, we occasionally recommend a site builder. We're not interested in building a website, just to build a website. We are interested in doing what will help you and your business or startup out the most.
I often compare building a website to building a house. There are many ways to do it, and so much is dependent on time and budget. Want a quick and relatively speaking inexpensive house? Then perhaps a modular home is for you. Want a custom build that is uniquely tailored to you? Then maybe a stick-built home is more your style.
So, what are some reasons you might prefer a web developer?
Custom website design vs templates
Ever notice how so many websites look the exact same these days? I have. I miss the days of really unique designs. But I'm just an old web developer yelling at the clouds :)
Beyond the aesthetic, it's reported that a well-designed user experience can boost conversion rates by 400%! (Per Forrester Research). That's huge! That’s a big reason many businesses choose custom web development over a site builder.
When you don’t have time to build a website yourself
I've had many folks tell me they are just too busy. And I can certainly empathize with that. It's doable to build a site yourself via a site builder, but there are nuances to each system, plenty of gotchas, and a real time investment. In the end, that's time spent building your website, instead of working on the parts of your business you'd prefer to be working on.
Needing custom website features or integrations
Those site builders are great if you've got a standard set of features. But what happens if you need any custom integrations? Or you have a need that doesn't fit in any of the pre-packaged boxes? You quickly feel limited. And breaking free of the site builder can be dreadful. They are your home for everything. The unique toolset, the domain, the hosting, etc. Think of switching all your Apple apps over to Android, or vice versa. Ugh, no thanks.
Hiring a web developer as a long-term partner
We are of the mindset that a website should be constantly shifting and improving. We'd much rather partner with you long-term than “finish” a project and walk away. So, it's one thing to make a beautiful website, but if no one sees it, what good is that? It's the marketing and SEO side that get folks to see your website, and lead to conversions.